'Ello :)

S'up peoples,

Frank here. Just thought I'd update y'all on some of things I've been up to since conference!

Firstly, I've attended a meeting at The LGF (Lesbian and Gay Foundation) with Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police. The meeting was for trans people to come along, and discuss issues with housing, employment, education, health and general policy concerning trans people.

There was also a presentation from Greater Manchester Police, about policing in Manchester specifically for trans people, transphobic crime, and trans people within the criminal justice system. The police who gave the presentation gave us loads of info on the training Greater Manchester Police receive, to help them be sensitive and respectful when dealing with trans people, and they answered all of our questions about reporting hate crime and stuff.

I learned that all twelve police divisions in Greater Manchester have an LGBT liaison officer, to encourage LGBT-phobic hate crime to be reported, and to ensure LGBT victims are treated proper.(info on the telephone numbers for GMP LGBT divisional contacts all over Manchester can be requested by emailing diversity@gmp.police.uk).

Also-anonymous reporting of LGBT hate crime can be done online,at www.gmp.police.uk/hatecrime or by calling the LGF Helpline on 0845 330 3030, who can report it for you. Oh, importantly- CRB checky things (which can be a pain for some trans-people, who don't want prospective employers to know their trans status) can be found at; http://www.crb.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=289&qid=4808 – they can keep things confidential for ya.

What else? Well, yesterday and today (Thurs 14th & Fri 15th), I've done a stall with fellow NUS LGBT committee member Alan Bailey (the one with blue hair), for IDAHO (international day against homophobia) at the University of Salford. We had map on our info board, highlighting all the countries where mean things happen if you're LGBT, and we had lots of leaflets and bits from the LGF to hand out. Oh yeah-we had a big pride banner outside our main building, Maxwell Hall, which was cool. I'll get some photos up on 'ere when I can get hold of some!

Something I've been working on of late, is like- a 'trans list' to send to the Gender Identity Clinics, who may deal with our students at some points. I decided that although I can ramble on about Charing Cross GIC-I know very little about the others! As trans rep, I'd love to be able to give as much info to y'all about each GIC! So, I'm gonna get an email drafted, with questions regarding waiting lists/funding/general processes, and will email Leeds, Nottinghamshire, Devon, (and any others I find). Then, once I find things out, I'll draw us a pretty table, and will poke it on our blog, so everyone can see what goes on where at a glance. Sorted.

So yeah-that's what I've been up to of late. Now I'm not so good with all this bloggy stuff, so I hope this works!


Peace,


Frank.